HI, hoping for some feedback/advise. I just booked MY FIRST Royal for this coming New Years Sailing on the Freedom of the Seas. We afterwards discovered the itinerary for the week after..same ship with Ports we have not been to. On the current booking we have been to the ports but simply booked for the holiday festivities. Our question is..after such a big ship party/week for the New Year, do cruises immediatly after lack because the crew is tired from the decoration changes all the extra work involved? Also, the one we are booked on has 3 days at sea and the other we are considering has only 2...now this ship looks very AWESOME! are we better with repeat ports and more time on the ship with the party..or better with new ports, no holiday party but more time on this AWESOME ship???
Any advise for those on new year cruises and or the Freedom would be very appreciated!!!!
Karen

If celebrating New Years on the ship is something you really want to experience, then book that one. Other then the ship still being decorated from Christmas and a New Years Eve party, I would expect the rest of the cruise to be like any other. If seeing the new ports and more sea time is more important, then book that one. I would expect you to have stellar service on either sailing.

I've been on a couple New Year cruises and other than a countdown party on New Years eve with free champagne for an hour or so, and the leftover Christmas decorations, there isn't much else that makes it any different from other cruises. Too many people book them thinking it is one big party every day and night and the truth is, it isn't. You may see more guests wearing tuxedos and evening gowns on New Years eve. Of course the price is higher too.

thanks for the info...I am very tossed but your right Dave...it's repeat ports, twice the price, all for one night of action. And..I did get that backwards. the first, New Years booking has more days on the ship, as the second as more ports. I hear the ship is fantastic with activites and wonder if my kids would enjoy the extra day. But my kids have never been to the ports the one after New Years offers. and I also wonder if on the new years one if those fun things on the ship will be more difficult to utilize? Question: if I do choose to change, is it a big issue with Royal? Fee to switch? I literally just booked this 2 days ago!